Working and Writing - Creating Sane, Grounded Practices

Many of us who write, do so while working for a living doing something other than writing.  While on the one hand, this seems like we might rather write full time, on the other we can see it for the opportunity it is while we're waiting for our ship to come in.

Structure

When we work outside the home, we have to be somewhere at a set time.  This teaches us structure. This also gives us the idea of working hours.

Why not set working hours for your writing, as though it were a second job?

Discipline

When we work at a job, we must do things on time and according to standards that are already set for us.  This can give us the starting-point to set our own standards and procedures.

Why not set a word count goal for each day?  One thousand words a day, or about 3 or 4 pages, is enough to write a novel in 2 or 3 months.

Networking

When we work outside the home, we have a resume and a network of professionals that we know in our field.  This helps us stay employed and, if necessary, get a new job.

Why not write a writing resume for yourself?  Include all the different kinds of writing that you do.  Are you an active blogger or Facebook user?  Proficient in social media.  Are you active in an online forum?  Member of thus-and-such group.  Use your imagination - just don't make up things out of whole cloth.  But not everything on your resume must be related to a job-for-pay.

With a little thought, we can leverage our working experience together with our writing experience and re-craft our lives into something we've always dreamed.

Write on!

Emerald Fire and Teeka's Hair Tea

In writing Emerald Fire, Rachel and I got to use what we know.  One of the skills we gave the Keepers is the skill of making tea and tea blends, both for beverages and for cosmetic or medicinal use.

Today, I'm over at the Torquere Press blog talking about hair tea - not the beverage, but to put on your hair.  I hope you'll stop by!

"Research and World Building – Teeka’s Special Hair Tea Blend"

Worldbuilding and Emerald Fire

Join me at the Writer's Retreat Blog today where I discuss some of the techniques that helped Rachel and I in the writing of our new book, Emerald Fire. Enjoy!

Win an Ebook!

Watch for posts on Facebook and Twitter about my book. Then comment on it and share with friends. Your comment will enter you to win a free copy of the ebook. Everyone participating and commenting will also receive a coupon code for discounted shopping.

Facebook | Twitter

Two Articles For Today

I have two new articles for your enjoyment today.  The first, Who To Write About (When You Can’t Write About Your Friends and Family), shares some of Rachel and my secrets about how we come up with characters to write about.  The second, Why Big Goals Don’t Work - Baby Step Your Way To Success, discusses some thoughts about how to go about setting goals that lead to accomplishment and not disappointment.

Enjoy!

Collaboration

No writer is an island, and there are many places writers can go for support and fellowship.  One of the best communities on the internet for such community is Romance Divas, an award-winning site and forum.  We are pleased to report they are hosting an article Noony wrote on Collaboration.  We hope you'll stop by and leave a comment!

Thanks for reading!